The Colombo Bay, by Richard Pollak. Simon & Schuster. 262 pages. $25. Intrigued by the way that imported goods, a feature of our global economy, reach these shores, longtime Nation editor Richard Pollak decided to investigate that behemoth of the modern ocean: the container cargo ship. Flying from his home in New York to Hong Kong to join the P&O Nedlloyd vessel Colombo Bay on its westbound trip, he finds himself in a very different world. The date is Sept. 11, 2001, and the attacks on the twin towers and the Pentagon have occurred while he is en route.

Joseph LaFleur's work in Sri Lanka never made the evening news - he never bandaged gashes, gave water to babies or pitched tents for the homeless. But the Bel Air man's work behind the scenes had an impact. His low-profile effort among high-ranking Sri Lankan officials helped restructure a bare-bones emergency operations office so overwhelmed by the December tsunami that initially it could not track the more than 30,000 citizens to get aid to them. "He clearly was able to pull together a major, critical organization," said Brent Woodworth, worldwide manager for IBM's crisis response team.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- It would be fair to say that Nora Janake is a normal office secretary who lives in a city under terrorist siege.Janake, 18, is not diagnosed as a paranoid or a schizophrenic, but she hurries home at sunset, avoids crowds and becomes tense at the sight of strangers."

The Colombo Bay, by Richard Pollak. Simon & Schuster. 262 pages. $25. Intrigued by the way that imported goods, a feature of our global economy, reach these shores, longtime Nation editor Richard Pollak decided to investigate that behemoth of the modern ocean: the container cargo ship. Flying from his home in New York to Hong Kong to join the P&O Nedlloyd vessel Colombo Bay on its westbound trip, he finds himself in a very different world. The date is Sept. 11, 2001, and the attacks on the twin towers and the Pentagon have occurred while he is en route.

ANNAPOLIS -- Villanova has its Presidential Backfield -- Kennedy (tailback Pat) and Johnson (fullback Jeff) -- and then it has Tom Colombo.Colombo is the half-pint who plays quarterback. Villanova coach Andy Talley says Colombo "is 5-6, if that," and weighs all of 162. A sophomore whose father is a high school coach in Brockton, Mass., Colombo is a nephew of late heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano.Legend has it that Colombo passed for 85 touchdowns in high school. It is fact that in two games for Villanova this season, he has passed for three -- and has completed 30 passes for 365 yards.

Mortgage rates rise above 8%For the first time in more than a year, the average interest rate nationally on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages has risen above 8 percent, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. said yesterday.The average rate of 8.04 percent for the current week is the highest since the week that ended Jan. 15 last year, when it was at the same level, and compares with 7.80 percent the previous week.Hagerstown yogurt plant closingGeneral Mills Inc. will close its Colombo yogurt processing plant in Hagerstown, leaving 34 workers jobless, company officials said.

Joseph LaFleur's work in Sri Lanka never made the evening news - he never bandaged gashes, gave water to babies or pitched tents for the homeless. But the Bel Air man's work behind the scenes had an impact. His low-profile effort among high-ranking Sri Lankan officials helped restructure a bare-bones emergency operations office so overwhelmed by the December tsunami that initially it could not track the more than 30,000 citizens to get aid to them. "He clearly was able to pull together a major, critical organization," said Brent Woodworth, worldwide manager for IBM's crisis response team.

In the 30 years he spent as a drunk, Dan Colombo never thought he'd ever be dancing, let alone in front of an audience. But that all changed three years ago when he and several other recovering addicts decided to put on a variety show, just on a whim.The group had so much fun, they did it again. And again. And Mr. Colombo has been regularly appearing on stage ever since.Today the group of performers has a name -- Recovery Friends Care -- and nonprofit status as a fund-raising organization.

Independence Federal, Colombo banks to join Independence Federal Savings Bank said yesterday that it has agreed to merge with Colombo Bancshares Inc., parent of Rockville-based Colombo Bank, a federal savings bank with branches in Baltimore, Bethesda, Rockville and Silver Spring. Colombo Bank will be merged into Independence Federal, which has two branches in Maryland and two in Washington. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter. Lorraine Mirabella Regulator calls for halt to foreclosures WASHINGTON : The Office of Thrift Supervision called yesterday for the mortgage lenders it regulates to halt foreclosures until the Obama administration unveils a program to help struggling homeowners.

On August 27, 2003 GERRY ELLEN BORAM; beloved wife of John E. Boram, Jr.; devoted mother of Erika L. Shannon and Matthew V. Boram; loving step-mother of Karen L. Colombo; cherished grandmother of two; caring sister of Bonnie Bastress and Ray Stull. Friends may call at the family owned Evans Chapel of Memories - Parkville Thursday 7 to 9 P.M. and Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 8:30 P.M. A Funeral Service will be held at 8:30 P.M. Friday. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions in Gerry's name may be made to Gilchrist Center, 6701 N. Charles St., Towson, 21204.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- It would be fair to say that Nora Janake is a normal office secretary who lives in a city under terrorist siege.Janake, 18, is not diagnosed as a paranoid or a schizophrenic, but she hurries home at sunset, avoids crowds and becomes tense at the sight of strangers."

Mortgage rates rise above 8%For the first time in more than a year, the average interest rate nationally on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages has risen above 8 percent, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. said yesterday.The average rate of 8.04 percent for the current week is the highest since the week that ended Jan. 15 last year, when it was at the same level, and compares with 7.80 percent the previous week.Hagerstown yogurt plant closingGeneral Mills Inc. will close its Colombo yogurt processing plant in Hagerstown, leaving 34 workers jobless, company officials said.

In the 30 years he spent as a drunk, Dan Colombo never thought he'd ever be dancing, let alone in front of an audience. But that all changed three years ago when he and several other recovering addicts decided to put on a variety show, just on a whim.The group had so much fun, they did it again. And again. And Mr. Colombo has been regularly appearing on stage ever since.Today the group of performers has a name -- Recovery Friends Care -- and nonprofit status as a fund-raising organization.

ANNAPOLIS -- Villanova has its Presidential Backfield -- Kennedy (tailback Pat) and Johnson (fullback Jeff) -- and then it has Tom Colombo.Colombo is the half-pint who plays quarterback. Villanova coach Andy Talley says Colombo "is 5-6, if that," and weighs all of 162. A sophomore whose father is a high school coach in Brockton, Mass., Colombo is a nephew of late heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano.Legend has it that Colombo passed for 85 touchdowns in high school. It is fact that in two games for Villanova this season, he has passed for three -- and has completed 30 passes for 365 yards.

Jack Priestly, 66, an award-winning cinematographer who worked in television and film, died May 26 at his home in Los Angeles. He began his career as a camera assistant. His work in television won him many awards, including two Emmys as director of photography for the series "Naked City." He also received Emmy nominations for "East Side, West Side" and "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill." Among his other television credits are "Colombo," "Cagney and Lacey," "A Man Called Hawk" and "Madigan." He also worked on "Family Reunion," "The Snoop Sisters" and "Kojak."